U.S. patent number 3,636,892 [Application Number 04/848,438] was granted by the patent office on 1972-01-25 for convertible table.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Snyder Trailer Company. Invention is credited to Thomas W. Linton.
United States Patent |
3,636,892 |
Linton |
January 25, 1972 |
CONVERTIBLE TABLE
Abstract
Convertible table comprises two or more table sections hinged
together and having a main support leg freely slidable in guide
tracks along the underneath side of the table from one table
section to another for supporting the table either in the fully
extended position or with one or more table sections folded
downwardly in dropleaf position.
Inventors: |
Linton; Thomas W. (Bellville,
OH) |
Assignee: |
The Snyder Trailer Company
(Butler, OH)
|
Family
ID: |
25303268 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/848,438 |
Filed: |
August 8, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/79; 108/48;
5/3; 108/166 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
5/06 (20130101); A47B 85/06 (20130101); B60P
3/36 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
85/06 (20060101); A47B 85/00 (20060101); A47B
5/00 (20060101); A47B 5/06 (20060101); B60P
3/32 (20060101); B60P 3/36 (20060101); A47b
001/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;108/112,48,79,11
;297/158,159 ;5/3 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Zugel; Francis K.
Claims
I, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as my
invention:
1. A convertible table comprising a plurality of table sections
hinged together to permit downward folding of one or more of said
table sections and return, and support means for said table
slidably connected to the underneath side of said table for
selective positioning beneath any one of said table selections
depending on the desired position of said one or more foldable
table sections, said support means for said table comprising a
slide member, a main support leg secured to said slide member, and
means mounting said slide member for longitudinal movement along
the underneath side of said table from one table section to
another, said slide member having longitudinally extending
shoulders on opposite sides, and individual track sections secured
to the underneath side of each of said table sections in
longitudinal alignment with each other, said track sections having
inturned flanges overlying said shoulders for retaining said slide
member within said track sections, and hinge means for mounting one
end of said table for swinging movement of said table between a
raised position in which said table is supported by said support
means and a lower position, said main support leg being pivotally
mounted to said slide member to permit folding of said support leg
up against the bottom of said table prior to swinging movement of
said table to the lower position, and means for supporting said
table in the lower position, said last-mentioned means comprising
an auxiliary leg substantially shorter than said main support leg
pivotally connected to the other end of said table.
2. A convertible table comprising a first table section, means for
supporting one end of said first table section, a second table
section having one end hinged to the other end of said first table
section to permit downward folding of said second table section
relative to said first table section and return, a third table
section having one end hinged to the other end of said second
section to permit downward folding of said third table section
relative to said first and second table sections and return, and
support means slidably connected to the underneath side of said
table for selectively positioning said support means beneath said
third table section for supporting all three table sections in a
horizOntally extending position, beneath said second table section
for supporting said first and second table sections in the
horizontally extending position with said third table section
folded downwardly, and beneath said first table section for
supporting said first table section in the horizontally extending
position with said second and third table sections folded
downwardly, said means for supporting said one end of said first
table section comprising hinge means for mounting said one end of
said first table section for swinging movement of said table
between a raised position in which said table is supported by said
support means and a lower position, said support means comprising a
slide member, a main support leg secured to said slide member, and
means mounting said slide member for longitudinal movement along
the underneath side of said table from one table section to
another, said main support leg being shorter than the combined
length of said first, second, and third table sections and being
pivotally mounted to said slide member to permit folding of said
main support leg up against the bottom of said table when said
slide member is disposed beneath said third table section prior to
swinging movement of said table to the lower position as aforesaid,
and means for supporting said table in the lower position.
3. The table of claim 2 wherein the vertical height of said support
means is greater than the combined length of said second and third
table sections to provide support for said first table section when
disposed therebeneath with said second and third table sections
hanging straight down from the other end of said first table
section.
4. The table of claim 2 wherein said slide member has
longitudinally extending shoulders on opposite sides, and
individual track sections secured to the underneath side of each of
said table sections in longitudinal alignments with each other,
said track sections having inturned flanges overlying said
shoulders for retaining said slide member within said track
sections.
5. The table of claim 2 further comprising latch means for
releasably latching said one end of said first table section in the
raised position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a convertible table of relatively
simple construction consisting of one or more foldable table
sections which provides for variations in the usable amount of
living and dining space, depending on needs.
In dwellings having limited floor space such as found in trailers,
boats, small apartments and the like, convertible tables are often
used in the kitchen or dining areas to permit changes in the size
of the table so that a sufficiently large table may be provided for
dining and other such uses, and the table may be folded out of the
way at other times to make additional room. A portion of the table
may be left unfolded for use as an end table on which lamps and
other objects may be placed, and the table when fully extended may
also be lowered for use in combination with bench seats as a bed,
particularly in trailers and boats.
However, the main support leg which is used to support the table
when in the fully extended position at normal table height must
ordinarily be folded out of the way before the foldable table
section can be dropped, which makes it somewhat cumbersome to
convert the table from one size to another. Additional support
means must also be provided for supporting the table when the
foldable table section is in the dropleaf position, and the
foldable table section is usually made longer than the main support
leg to accommodate it in the folded position, thus necessitating
the lifting up or raising of the table during folding of the
foldable table section to permit swinging in of the foldable table
section to an inclined position where it will not interfere with
the remainder of the table from remaining level after folding.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With the foregoing in mind, it is a principal object of this
invention to provide a convertible table having one or more
foldable table sections and a main support leg for supporting the
table both when in the fully extended position and when one or more
foldable table sections are folded to the dropleaf position.
Another object is to provide a convertible table in which the main
support leg is of a length greater than the combined length of the
foldable table sections, whereby when the foldable table sections
are lowered to the dropleaf position, they will be supported in a
vertical condition by the main support leg.
These and other objects of the present invention may be achieved by
providing a convertible table in which the main support leg
therefor is free to slide in aligned track sections on the
underneath side of the table sections for movement from one table
section to another to provide support for the table at various
positions along its length as required, depending on the folded
condition of the table. When the table is fully extended, the main
support leg is positioned beneath the outermost table section, and
a simple sliding movement of the main support leg inwardly of one
or more of the foldable table sections will permit such foldable
table sections to be swung downwardly to the dropleaf position. The
main support leg may also be folded beneath the table when fully
extended and the table lowered between a pair of bench seats and
the like and supported by a shorter auxiliary leg to provide in
combination with the bench seats a bed if desired.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the
invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described
and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following
description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail a
certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, this being
indicative, however, of but one of the various ways in which the
principle of the invention may be employed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the annexed drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of convertible
table constructed in accordance with this invention as seen from
the outer end thereof, such table being shown in the fully
extended, raised position between a pair of bench seats such as may
be found in a house trailer and the like;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the table of FIG. 1, taken
on the plane of the line 2--2;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section similar to FIG. 2, but showing the
outermost table section in the dropleaf position with the main
support leg positioned beneath the adjacent table section;
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section also similar to FIG. 2 but showing
the two outermost table sections in the dropleaf position, with the
main support leg located beneath the innermost table section;
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section showing the convertible table
fully extended, but with the main support leg folded beneath the
table and a shorter auxiliary support leg in position for
supporting the table in a lower position at bench seat height to
provide with the bench seats a bed;
FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the underneath side of the table;
and
FIG. 7 is a transverse section through the table of FIG. 6, taken
on the plane of the line 7--7.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now in detail to the drawing, a preferred form of
convertible table in accordance with this invention is generally
indicated by the reference numeral 1, and comprises a plurality of
table sections 2, 3 and 4, each hinged together to permit folding
of one or more of the table sections in dropleaf fashion, in a
manner to be subsequently fully explained. While three such table
sections 2, 3 and 4 are shown, it will be apparent that as few as
two and more than three table sections may be provided, depending
upon the length of the table sections and vertical height between
the floor and table when in the fully raised position.
In FIG. 1 the convertible table 1 is shown disposed between a pair
of bench seats 5 and 6 such as are used in trailers, boats, and
other such dwellings where space is limited. The innermost table
section 2 is shown suitably supported at normal table height as by
means of a wall mount 7 consisting of a pair of brackets 8 secured
to the table section 2 adjacent the back edge 9 and having
vertically extending portions 10 which are adapted to be received
in sockets 11 suitably fastened to the adjacent wall surface 12 at
the desired height for latching the table in the raised position. A
generally U-shaped hinge member 13 is also used to support the
table section 2 when in the raised position shown in FIGS. 1
through 4, 6 and 7, and when the vertically extending portions 10
of the brackets 8 are disengaged from the sockets 11, the table is
free to swing about the hinge member 13 from the raised position to
a lower position shown in FIG. 5 where the inner end of the table
is still supported by the hinge member. As perhaps best seen in
FIGS. 6 and 7, the cross element 15 of the hinge member 13 is
pivotally secured to the adjacent wall surface 12 by a pair of
brackets 16, whereas the legs 17 of the hinge member 13 have
outturned ends 18 pivotally secured to the underneath side of the
table section 2 by the brackets 8.
Support for the outer end of the table 1 when in the fully upright
position is provided by a main support leg 20 which is attached to
a slide member 21 received in a sectioned track 22 extending
longitudinally along the underneath side of the table. As clearly
shown in FIG. 6, there is an individual section of track 22 secured
to each of the table sections 2, 3 and 4 in longitudinal alignment
with each other, and each section of track terminates adjacent the
ends of the table sections so as not to interfere with folding of
one table section relative to another. Moreover, the piano hinges
23 which pivotally connect the table sections together to permit
downward folding of the outermost table sections relative to the
innermost table section are located outwardly of the sections of
track 22 so as not to interfere with longitudinal movement of the
slide 21 along the track sections from one table section to
another. Preferably, the track sections 22 have inturned flanges 25
which overlie longitudinally extending shoulders 26 on opposite
sides of the slide 21 for retaining the slide 21 within the track
sections, and the slide 21 is of a length greater that the gap 27
between adjacent track sections so as to prevent removal of the
slide 21 from the track sections when passing from one track
section to another. However, the slide 21 is of course shorter than
the length of the innermost table section 2 so as to be
accommodated thereby when it is desired to drop both of the
outermost table sections 3 and 4.
With the table in the fully raised position, all of the table
sections 2, 3 and 4 are retained in the fully extended position by
sliding the main support leg 20 outwardly along the track sections
22 until the slide 21 is beneath the outermost table section 4, as
illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6. If a table of shorter length is
desired, it is a simple matter to lift the forward end of the table
up slightly and push the main support leg 20 back along the track
sections 22 until the slide 21 clears the outermost table section 4
and the outermost table section is free to be pivoted downwardly to
the dropleaf position illustrated in FIG. 3. Continued rearward
movement of the slide 21 and main support leg 20 beyond the second
outermost table section 3 will also permit dropping of the second
table section 3 as shown in FIG. 4, leaving only the innermost
table section 2 in the fully raised, level position to provide an
end table or the like on which may be placed a lamp or other
objects. As evident from FIG. 4, the combined length of the
dropleaf table sections 3 and 4 is somewhat less than the vertical
height of the main support leg 20, whereby the main support leg
still provides support the the table when the foldable table
sections 3 and 4 are dropped. A stop or catch may be placed on the
floor in vertical alignment with the folded outermost table section
4 to latch the table sections in the folded condition, or spring
hinges may be provided for that purpose, if desired.
The main support leg 20 is shown pivotally mounted to the slide 21
at 30 to permit folding of the support leg up against the bottom of
the table and lowering of the table from the raised position to the
lower position illustrated in FIG. 5. Before the main support leg
20 may be folded, however, the table sections 3 and 4 must be fully
extended and the main support leg 20 pulled outwardly to the
position shown in FIG. 2 thus to provide sufficient room beneath
the table for the main support leg. After folding, the outer end of
the table may be lifted slightly to disengage the vertically
extending portions 10 of the brackets 8 from the sockets 11, and
the table swung downwardly about the hinge member 13 in the manner
illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 5 to the solid line position
whereat the innermost end of the table continues to be supported by
the hinge member 13. A shorter auxiliary leg 31 may be pivotally
mounted to the outermost table section 4 and swung downwardly into
position for supporting the outer end of the table in the lower
position, as further shown in FIG. 5.
From the foregoing, it can now be seen that the convertible table
of the present invention includes a novel support leg which not
only supports the table in the raised position when the various
table sections are fully extended, but also when one or more of the
table sections are folded downwardly to the dropleaf position
because of the sliding connection between the table and support leg
which permits movement of the support leg from one table section to
another without interfering with desired folding movements of the
table sections.
* * * * *